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Von der Befreiung zur Freiheit


A sensitive portrait of one of the most important eras of Austrian history – from Austria’s Allied occupation until the re-establishment of full sovereignty with the State Treaty in 1955. Erich Lessing portrayed politics as well as a new emerging society and the revival of the cultural scene in post-war Austria. Text contributions by well-known personalities like Gerd Bacher, Alexander Giese and Ludwig Steiner.



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230 photos
After World War II, Vienna was divided between all four occupation forces, US, British, French and Soviet Russian. Joint military patrols formed the "Four in a Jeep".Roll-call before a new tour of duty. Vienna, 1947
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After World War II, Vienna was divided between all four occupation forces, US, B...

Salztor-Bridge across the Danube Canal,Vienna.The signboard says:"Exit from the Russian Zone"; the monument at left reminds passers-by that "this bridge was destroyed by German Fascists in 1945 and rebuilt upon orders of Soviet Marshal Koniew.." Vienna,1947
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Salztor-Bridge across the Danube Canal,Vienna.The signboard says:"Exit from the...

A man feeds sparrows in front of graves of Soviet soldiers who died during the battle of Vienna in April 1945. In the background the Vienna City-hall. Vienna,1947
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A man feeds sparrows in front of graves of Soviet soldiers who died during the b...

Unemployed Viennese waiting to be registered and to receive unemployment benefits. Vienna,1947
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Unemployed Viennese waiting to be registered and to receive unemployment benefit...

Peace returns to war-damaged Vienna:the opening waltz in Vienna's "Musikverein" concert hall. Vienna, 1947
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Peace returns to war-damaged Vienna:the opening waltz in Vienna's "Musikverein"...

A Vienna policeman directs traffic on the Ringstrasse- Boulevard in front of the Palais Epstein, the Soviet town-command. Banner celebrates the Red Army's 28th anniversary and huge portraits show Lenin and Stalin right and left of the Red Star.
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A Vienna policeman directs traffic on the Ringstrasse- Boulevard in front of the...

In front of Vienna's cityhall, workmen saw through a tree they are cutting for firewood in an effort to combat the winter's coal shortage.
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In front of Vienna's cityhall, workmen saw through a tree they are cutting for...

A rare fraternization: Soviet and US-soldiers gathered around a camera in Vienna's Prater park. Vienna, 1947
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A rare fraternization: Soviet and US-soldiers gathered around a camera in Vienna...

Post-war Vienna. High up near the roof of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, two workmen secure a third while clearing rubble. The cathedral was destroyed by artillery fire during the last days of the war. July 1947
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Post-war Vienna. High up near the roof of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, tw...

A barbed wire fence of the Iron Curtain cuts across a one-track railway line which connected Austria and Hungary.
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A barbed wire fence of the Iron Curtain cuts across a one-track railway line wh...

Post-war Vienna. Ruins of the Philippshof shelter, which collapsed during an air-raid on 12 March 1945, killing 250 people. The damaged opera house is visible in the background. Albertinaplatz, Vienna, Austria, 1945
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Post-war Vienna. Ruins of the Philippshof shelter, which collapsed during an ai...

The body of operasinger Maria Cebotari (1910-1949) lies in state in the war-damaged Vienna Operahouse. Viennese music lovers file past. Vienna,1949
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The body of operasinger Maria Cebotari (1910-1949) lies in state in the war-...